Helicopter Private Pilot Certification

Keep in mind the FAA requirements for obtaining a helicopter private pilot certification, is just the minimums. It is important to keep in mind that everyone learning curve is different. We always tell our students to not get discouraged if it takes you longer than the FAA’s minimum requirements to obtain your certification. We have found is, flying twice a week, that it typically takes on average about 60 hours to gain the knowledge and confidence to take your written, verbal, and practical FAA exams, so you can obtain your pilot certification. The most important thing to keep in mind is being consistent and persistent in your flight schedule. The old adage holds true with a learned skill; you don’t use it, you lose it. What we mean by that is if you fly every once in a while, then you will spend a significant portion of each flight time relearning what you have forgotten from the previous lesson.

Ref FAR 61.109 (c) For a helicopter rating. a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with rotor-craft category and helicopter class rating must log a minimum of 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed below.

No aircraft or airplane flight experience is required to start earning your certification

Can begin flight training at any age, must be a minimum of 17 Years Old to Take Flight Test (for student pilot or solo flight must be 16 years old)

Must Read, Write, Understand, and Speak English

Prior to first solo flight, must obtain an FAA Medical Certificate

Prior to taking the FAA practical flight test, must pass an FAA Written “Knowledge Test” (ground school will prepare you for this)

Pass an FAA Oral and Practical Flight Test

3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter

3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes

One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total distance

10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test

10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at least

3 hours cross-country time

One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations

Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.